It can also cripple your career. I’ve written before about my client, Shanelle, who actually asked for a demotion and a pay cut because she didn’t feel she was good enough for her position, even though she was receiving positive feedback regularly from her superiors. Shanelle’s self-sabotage is a perfect example of how anxiety can dictate the course of one’s career. Fortunately, there are ways to cope with anxiety so that you can reduce or even eliminate the effect it has on your life and your career.

Here are four common workplace anxieties and effective ways of coping with them.

1. Fear Of Public Speaking

Fear of public speaking is pretty common. So common, in fact, that there’s actually a name for it: glossophobia. And it’s no joke. For those who suffer from it, even the thought of speaking publicly (whether giving a speech in front of a large audience, or doing a PowerPoint presentation for a handful of colleagues) can cause excessive sweating, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and stiffening of muscles. It can be debilitating. People who experience it tend to shy away from jobs that involve an element of public speaking, which means they could be missing out on their ideal job or a big pay hike.

So what do to about it? The best way to address this anxiety is to attend a course on public speaking. There are plenty of reputable ones out there, one of the most well-known being Toastmasters International. There are also tons of highly-rated self-help books (Talk Like TED, No Sweat Public Speaking!, and Steal the Show, to name a few). If your fear of public speaking is severe, though, seeking medical treatment may be your best bet. Therapy and/or medication can help you overcome your fear.

2. Fear Of Asking Questions

As Lou Holtz says, “you’re either growing or you’re dying.” The decision to withdraw from asking questions paves the path to a slow career death.

Especially after starting a new position, it can be intimidating to ask questions at work. You want to give off a positive image and convince everyone that you’re as capable for the job as your resume proclaimed you to be. And while we all want a gold star sticker for being that knowledgeable employee who hits the ground running, part of being good at your job—any job—is constantly learning and growing. And who better to learn from than the talented employees around you?

Even if your instinct is to keep quiet at first, don’t be afraid to make inquiries of your colleagues. If you’re really worried about the impression it gives off, write the question down first and see if you can dig up an answer on your own, but don’t spend too much time on it. Set your ego aside for a minute and just aska co-worker, as that is likely the easiest and most direct method of getting an answer.

3. Giving—And Receiving—Criticism

Let’s be honest, no one likes to be criticized. Criticism is a main source of conflict in the workplace, which makes this an area that is ripe with tension and emotions. However, constructive criticism, when delivered properly, is one of the most effective methods of learning and growing professionally.

Accept criticism graciously. Don’t take it personally or get defensive. Stop and actually listen to what the deliverer is saying and take down some notes. Thank them for their insights and offer to follow up with them if you have any questions.

The first step to overcoming any anxiety is acknowledging it. I helped Shanelle recognize how much her lack of self-worth was stifling her career, and once she saw the impact it was having on her professional life—and the sabotage she was inflicting on herself— she committed to changing her outlook and her approach. She gradually worked on building her confidence and self-worth, and her investment in herself paid dividends…in the form of a $30,000 salary increase.

Quite the turnaround from being the girl who asked for a demotion for no reason, huh?

Take a moment to self-reflect. Are you letting a workplace anxiety rob you of what you truly deserve professionally? Whether it’s landing your dream job, developing a new skill set, or increasing your salary, don’t let your fears hold you back. Make a commitment to yourself to tackles your issues, use the tools available to you to conquer your fears, and kiss that workplace anxiety goodbye.